University of Missouri-Columbia Admission Requirements

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4 Year
Columbia, MO
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#4 Best Public Universities in Missouri

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University of Missouri-Columbia Admission Overview

University of Missouri-Columbia admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year University of Missouri-Columbia admitted 78.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1150-1330 / ACT 23-30. University of Missouri-Columbia is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

University of Missouri-Columbia is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

University of Missouri-Columbia Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

78.5%

Admission Standards

Difficult

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The University of Missouri-Columbia acceptance rate is 78.5%. Last year, 19,218 of 24,490 applicants were admitted. That is the 27th lowest acceptance rate in Missouri.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into University of Missouri-Columbia and can you get accepted?

University of Missouri-Columbia is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile. Getting an offer is relatively likely compared with more selective schools, but last year's class still posted a strong academic profile.

Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 31% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

University of Missouri-Columbia GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Estimated High School GPA

3.61*

Typical High School Grades

A-

Estimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.61*

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

University of Missouri-Columbia has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.61 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average. University of Missouri-Columbia is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.

*3.61 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.

University of Missouri-Columbia SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1150-1330

Freshmen who sent SAT

10%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 580
Math 570
Composite 1150

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 670
Math 660
Composite 1330

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at University of Missouri-Columbia typically score around a 1240 SAT (middle 50% 1150–1330) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 81st percentile nationally. University of Missouri-Columbia ranks #7 in the state of Missouri for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1150 to 1330

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

University of Missouri-Columbia is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1240 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at University of Missouri Columbia
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1330+	Above 75th	>87%
1240 to 1330	Avg +	78%-87%
1150 to 1240	Avg -	65%-78%
Below 1150	Below mid-50	<65%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

University of Missouri-Columbia ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

23-30

Freshmen reporting ACT

66%

25th Percentile Scores

English 22
Math 22
Composite 23

75th Percentile Scores

English 30
Math 28
Composite 30

Average ACT

Incoming testers at University of Missouri-Columbia typically have around a 26 ACT (mid-50 23–30) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 82nd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. University of Missouri-Columbia places #6 among colleges in Missouri for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 23 to 30

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to University of Missouri-Columbia without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 26.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at University of Missouri Columbia
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
30+	Above 75th	>88%
26 to 30	Avg +	78%-88%
23 to 26	Avg -	67%-78%
Below 23	Below mid-50	<67%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

64% of University of Missouri Columbia freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 33% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted University of Missouri Columbia students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	33%
Top 25% of class	64%
Top 50% of class	91%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the University of Missouri-Columbia chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

University of Missouri Columbia admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	14,037	10,422	24,490
Accepted	11,271	7,933	19,218
Acceptance Rate	80%	76%	78%
Enrolled	3,341	2,610	5,953
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	30%	33%	31%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of Missouri Columbia and what student information is used for admission decisions?

University of Missouri Columbia application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of Missouri Columbia is $55.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at University of Missouri Columbia
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

University of Missouri-Columbia is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 78.5% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1150-1330); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025